People

India's President and The Sardar

by SHEELA REDDY [OutlookIndia]

What do you do when the telephone rings on your 92nd birthday and a voice at the other end asks, "The President wishes to know your convenience when he can call on you"? Wonder what to wear? Or what to serve him instead of the standard scotch and soda? How to address a head of state in your own home?

For Khushwant Singh, there's only one response: a blunt "Is this some kind of a joke?" Not that he has much reason to be suspicious: haven't a series of presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, Nobel laureates dropped in on him at some time or the other? But this, Khushwant insists, is entirely different.

Unlike those countless others, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was neither friend nor favour-seeker. "Why should he," Khushwant asked himself and everyone else, "want to waste his time on a pen-pusher like me?"

But call it whim or admiration, the President did arrive at Sujan Singh Park as promised-on February 9, at 5.30 pm. A chilly Friday afternoon. At the last moment, Khushwant decided the occasion merited a departure from his usual custom: he left his armchair by the fireside to receive his eminent visitor on his driveway. It was a happy decision: he could watch the fleet of cars drive up to his doorstep. He could steal a glance at his neighbour Dilshad's window to see if anyone was watching this impressive cavalcade. He could shake hands with the shy, silver-maned man who emerged from the President's black limousine, and lead the entire procession of ADCs, President's staff and his own guests into his cosy living room.

President Kalam stood, unsure for perhaps the first time since he assumed office of where to sit.

Khushwant led him hospitably to the famous armchair facing his own, from where countless visitors have been quizzed by the grand old man of letters-his feet up on his equally well-known footstool: an upturned cane moodah. Then followed, for the man who refuses to stand on all ceremony, a little ceremony: a basket of 100 red roses handed over by a very stiff ADC, assisted by two officers. The President said, "These are plucked from my garden for you." Khushwant despatched them casually to the dining table.

Awkward pause, deftly bridged by Khushwant proffering his own gift. Two books chosen carefully from his over 100 titles: Nature Watch and his autobiography, Truth, Love and a Little Malice. It turns out to be a conversational ice-breaker.

"I have documented the birds and trees in Rashtrapati Bhavan," President Kalam says. "There are 140 species of birds and 200 varieties of trees-some 30 of them unique."

Khushwant Singh ("KS"): How did you document them?

President Kalam ("APJ"): I got an expert to do it. I'll send you the compiled list.

KS: My daughter suggested I give you my two volumes of Sikh History.

APJ: I have that in my library. I am interested in reading about various religions and was looking for something on Sikh history. I found your book most useful-so simply written, without any bias. I have read all your books except (slight pause) those on women. I used to read your jokebooks as a student. I am a regular reader of your columns.

Two more books are waiting on Khushwant's crowded side table for the next conversational gambit. He uses it now. These are Kalam's Ignited Minds and his autobiography, Wings of Fire.

KS: Could you sign these copies?

APJ: (picking up Ignited Minds). Oh, this book! You wrote that you wanted to tear me to pieces until you read it. I've been wanting to meet you ever since I read that. I sent that review to my people. They all enjoyed it very much.

Khushwant, moving quickly to a third conversational tie-breaker, points at the plaque with Arabic script hanging over his doorway, and says: "Can you read that? Mine is a secular home".

APJ: (Reads slowly): La Ilaha Illallah, Muhammadur Rasool Allah (There's no God but Allah, Mohammed is His messenger).

KS: I am an agnostic. Do you believe in heaven and hell? Ghalib didn't. "Humko maloom hai jannat ki asliyat/Lekin dil ko khush rakhne ke liye/Ghalib khayal achcha hai." Can you follow that?

APJ: No, I am a Tamil fellow.

KS: "We know the truth about Paradise/But it's a nice idea to beguile the mind." As a scientist, how do you come to terms with heaven and hell?

APJ: I believe heaven and hell is what we make of it right here in this world. When someone appreciates what I write or when I do a good turn, it's heaven. And as for afterlife, let's see.... You were a lawyer and then a government servant?

KS: Yes, I am glad I left that work. There was so little to do. Barely an hour of work, and the rest of the time went into gossiping and flirting with the women.

APJ: In those days, it was allowed?

KS: (Laughs). Yes.

APJ: I have been wanting to meet you for a long time. I admire you going on writing your column although you are 92. My mother died at 93, my father at 103. I have an emotional feeling for those in their 90s. I wanted to ask your advice on what I should do for the next 15 years.

KS: It is not for me to give you advice. I am a joker. What advice can I give you? I enjoy my life.

APJ: (to no one in particular) Do you know, in the Mahabharata, who is the only character in Duryodhana's court who dared to speak against the king? It's Vidura. He's my favourite character in the Mahabharata. He's not afraid of speaking the truth. Tonight I'll write a poem on him. Now I must go.

KS: I won't stop you. You must have more important things to do than waste your time here.

APJ: (Quietly) This is as important.

KS: I couldn't believe it when I heard you wanted to come and see me. I still can't believe it. I won't be able to sleep tonight.

APJ: That's good, then you can read. I do all my work after 11 pm.

KS: How many hours do you sleep?

APJ: (Sheepishly holds up five fingers) Five hours.

KS: And you don't sleep in the day? Sleeping in the day is good for you. I get cranky if I don't get my afternoon nap.

APJ: Other people have told me this. (Turning to us) Don't follow my example. (He presents two slim volumes of his poems to Khushwant as a parting gift.)

KS (expressionlessly): I will read them in bed tonight.

APJ: When you come to Rashtrapati Bhavan (to receive the Padma Vibhushan), I will show you the gardens, especially the musical fountains. They are designed to flow with the soundwaves of the veena.

It was a precious half-hour, both seemed to be aware of it. Two wise old men, who'd seen power at close hand but now found time to talk of things like the existence of God, how to live, trees, birds, growing old and how much to sleep. They walk out together in slow, careful steps to the waiting limousine. Before it disappears, Khushwant gets down the steps to shake hands with each of the dozen securitymen. Only the large grins that spring up on their stiff faces break the solemnity of the occasion.

[Courtesy: OutlookIndia.com]

Photos: Bottom -  S. Khushwant Singh receiving The Centennial Foundation (Canada) 2006 SEVA AWARD from the Canadian High Commissioner to India and a representative of the Foundation.

Next Photo (above Joke-Book cover): The Sardar receives President Kalam. [Photo: Courtesy - Jitender Gupta]

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